Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 29, 2025

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
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An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

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Epigenetic regulation in the tumor microenvironment: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Jing Yang1,2,3,4, Jin Xu1,2,3,4, Wei Wang1,2,3,4

  • 1Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.

Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
|May 22, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic modifications in cancer cells impact anti-tumor immunity and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeting epigenetic regulators offers a promising strategy for enhancing cancer immunotherapy and developing novel treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Epigenetic modifications, including histone modification, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNAs, regulate gene expression critical for cancer development.
  • Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcription, contributing to tumorigenesis.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms are altered in human cancers, presenting potential therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of how epigenetic modifications in tumor cells influence immune responses within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • To elucidate how epigenetics affect immune cells internally, thereby modifying the TME.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators in cancer immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on epigenetics and cancer immunology.
  • Analysis of the interplay between epigenetic modifications and immune cell function in the TME.
  • Synthesis of information on therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic alterations in tumor cells modulate immune cell activity and the TME.
  • Epigenetic changes within immune cells can also influence the TME and antitumor responses.
  • Targeting epigenetic regulators shows potential for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the intricate relationship between epigenetics and cancer immunology is crucial for advancing cancer treatment.
  • Combining epigenetic therapy with cancer immunotherapy may offer significant benefits for patients.
  • Further research into targeting epigenetic regulators holds promise for developing more effective cancer immunotherapies.

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